David and Rebecca came to the Charlottesville area in search of the perfect place for their families to come together and celebrate their wedding. Rebecca, who is originally from the North, and David, who is originally from the South, said “I do” on an October afternoon at Belle Haven on the James.
The couple and their planner Marisa Vrooman of Orpha Events wanted to strike a balance between modern elegance and rustic beauty through using mixed china, farm tables, earth-toned linens, bright florals and gold finishes. They brought in crystal chandeliers and floral hanging adornments to mix both the natural and man-made for a classic elegance that also brightened the barn in a festive way.
The couple wed in the venue’s West Garden under a beautiful wooden arbor adorned with greenery. The bride wore a delicate lace wrap over her dress for the ceremony.
Following a cocktail hour in the Tidewater tent, dinner was held in the venue’s barn with long farm tables running the length of the space. Decorated with greenery and glowing lights, the reception had an intimate charm.
Aside from the bright fuchsia and cafe au lait dahlias that were prominently featured, the couple chose black and white as their colors, a nod to the modernity of New York City, where they both reside.
With the help of Vrooman, David and Rebecca showcased the black and white colors in several intentional elements throughout the affair. They created a modern black and white cake from Paradox Pastry, adorned with beautiful dahlias to soften the look. Another unique way the couple incorporated their colors was through black and white striped straws in champagne flutes as escort cards for the guests, which added a touch of formality to the occasion. They also incorporated white lounge area furniture with black striped throw pillows and black and white striped boxes filled with donuts for the guests’ parting snack.
After dinner, everyone returned to the Tidewater tent to dance the night away to live music. The elegant wedding, incorporating David’s southern roots and the couple’s love for the modern, turned out to be a beautiful celebration of their new life together as husband and wife.
Designer & Planner: Marisa of Orpha Events
Photographer: Sera Petras
Florist: Nature Composed
Caterer: A Pimento Catering
Venue: Belle Haven (Note: This venue is no longer accepting weddings)
Cakes: Paradox Pastry
Dress: Martina Liana
Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Rentals: Festive Fare
Lighting: Blue Ridge A/V and Lighting
Chandelier & Specialty Rentals: Stonegate Event Rentals
Tent: Virginia Tent Rental
Weekend: Activities in Charlottesville
Thanks so much for the beautiful feature! I loved this wedding so much! There were so many thoughtful details throughout the day and you could just feel the love from everyone there!
Fantastic Blog. Really enjoyed reading.