Love finds a way: Lindsay and Kristin at Lydia Mountain Lodge

Lindsay Schimpf & Kristin Beers May 12, 2018, at Lydia Mountain Lodge | Photography by Amanda Maglione Unexpected inspo When Lindsay Schimpf and Kristin Beers started dating, gay marriage wasn’t legal in many states, including Virginia. So neither bride had a vision for their dream wedding. Turns out, they got the perfect day anyway. “We had […]

Easygoing elegance: Erin and Dominic at Gaie Lea

Erin Mahoney & Dominic Desmond August 25, 2018, at Gaie Lea in Staunton | Photography by Christy McKee Perfect pick With the help of Erin’s sisters and friends, the couple filled five five-gallon buckets with wildflowers from Pebble Hall Wildflowers in Weyers Cave. “Some more friends helped arrange them in Mason jars on the morning […]

Finishing touch: A personalized topper takes the cake

You’ve chosen the escort card display and the fold of your napkins. But what about the cake topper? If So INKlined’s Jen Maton has that covered. After nearly two decades as a professional calligrapher, she started thinking about creating her own product line. “The light bulb went off and I realized that cake toppers would […]

Now what? How to deal if you have to cancel or postpone

On a Sunday last September, Betsy Bilharz and Dan Savage were dropping off the welcome bags for their wedding guests at a hotel in Charlottesville when her parents called to say that the weather report was looking pretty bad. The couple’s wedding day was supposed to be the following Saturday, September 15, and a hurricane […]

Ridin’ out: Local car providers offer at least three ways to up your wedding-day getaway game

The getaway car is the last thing wedding guests see as the happy couple is whisked away into marital bliss. And there are several options to rev up that final impression—modern limos, slick sedans, and vintage classics. “It is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and a museum-quality vintage limousine helps create a magical and unforgettable experience,” says […]

Fancy-free: Choose a sweet spot for a low-key ceremony

Big weddings are great, but for some of us, less is more. As in, less expense, less stress, less planning. And there’s something thrilling about getting married without a net. Okay, we’ll just say it: Why not elope? Taking your vows with only a handful of witnesses means that you really can forego nearly all […]

Like a chandelier: Couples are turning to high-end lighting to enhance their special day

Of all the details that go into planning a wedding, local experts say one shines as the difference-maker between perfection and paltry—lighting. “Lighting touches everything,” says Jake Anderson, owner of Lighting Professors. “And we’re seeing increased awareness of recognizing how important lighting is as an enhancement. We’re one of the first vendors couples are booking […]