ANNALEIGH AND JOE
DEVIL’S THUMB RANCH, COLORADO
DESTINATION RUSTIC CHARM
photos by Laura Murray
This couple of theater actors from New York City chose a July destination wedding in the idyllic mountains of Colorado.
While taking portraits of the couple, photographer Laura Murray found the horses
wouldn’t leave Annaleigh alone. Joe told Laura, “It’s exactly the effect Annaleigh has on people. They have to be around her as much as possible.” Held outside under burlap bunting made by Annaleigh’s grandparents, the ceremony was led by a friend of Joe’s and accompanied on a ukulele by a singer-songwriter friend of the bride. The day alternated between sunshine and rain, which didn’t bother the bride at all.“It felt like God’s reminder that not everything is supposed to be perfect,” she said.
The reception was held inside the ranch’s Broad Ace Barn, which was decorated with natural elements and personal touches, many of which were handmade by the bride herself. Love This Day Events, who helped design the look, draped bay leaves and seasonal flowers from the tables and accented the warm space with apothecary bottles and marquee-style letters spelling “love.”
ERIN AND STEVE
SALAMANDER RESORT, VIRGINIA
CLASS AND FUN IN HUNT COUNTRY
photos by Nathan Mitchell Photography
Erin and Steve, both high-level professionals in Washington, D.C., chose a May wedding in Virginia horse country. The rehearsal dinner was held in the equestrian center at Salamander Resort, where a band played from the hayloft and tables were set up in the barn aisles. Small trophies adorned the tables, and fun drink-holders had printed logos with the couple’s names and horseshoes.
The following day, an elegant ceremony was held at the Middleburg United Methodist Church, after which the party headed back to Salamander. The photographer took portraits of the wedding party and the couple in front of the black, board fences and green fields. Afterwards, the reception began in the ballroom, where dim lights and delicious foods surrounded lively dancing. Guests were given sunglasses and glow stick necklaces, and at the end of the evening, several guests stepped outside to enjoy a fine cigar.
KATE AND SETH
KING FAMILY VINEYARDS, VIRGINIA
WINTER WARMTH
photos by Aaron Watson Photography
Often overlooked as a time for weddings, the winter can be a season of romance and elegance. This wedding combined the sparkling frostiness of January with the warm beauty of the bride’s plush wrap and a glowing fire inside the reception hall. With a chilly fog falling on the Virginia countryside, the wedding reflected the winter wonderland with simple white flowers and sparkling candles, a look designed by Blue Ridge Floral Design and wedding coordinator Colleen Miller.
Small equestrian details, including a small diamond horseshoe on the cake by Paradox Pastry, were inspired by the couple’s common love of horses. Kate has loved horses her entire life, and Seth is a farrier.“What a neat way to incorporate that aspect of their lives into their wedding,” said Aaron Watson Photography. A dessert table with chocolate-covered pretzels, a rocking disc jockey, and a fun photo booth made for a warm and unforgettable evening.
JACQUELINE AND CHRIS
THE INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB (IPC), FLORIDA
EXTRAVAGANT ELEGANCE
photos by FocusedOnForever
This young professional couple chose the theme for their October wedding by combining their nicknames; Gatsby, a nickname given to the groom by his college roommates and groomsmen, and Princess, the father of the bride’s nickname for her as a little girl.The result was a fairy-tale wedding with classic elegance. The neutral and plush colors accented with ice blue and pale pinks were tied together by feathers, to symbolize the ascension of two souls.
The groom is a polo player and son of Outback Steakhouse founding partner Tim Gannon, who was also a founding member of the IPC. His Outback Polo Team has seen much success, including winning the U.S. Open in 1991. As such, the polo club seemed the ideal location for the couple to realize their vision of a faiy-tale wedding.
“My favorite moment of the day was when my husband secretly arranged to surprise me with a horse-drawn Cinderella carriage to escort me to our ceremony,” remembers Jacqueline. “Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, the second surprise came when he concluded the ceremony by lifting me back up into the carriage, taking the reins, and single-handedly driving both of us to our beautiful reception. He is truly my Prince Charming.”