Amy Mitchell Photography
Getting married has become a reason to go all out with a huge event—often the bigger the better. For couples who want to celebrate their commitment without months of decision-making and a five-figure price tag, Albemarle CiderWorks has developed a less-is-more option: your very own microwedding. This year, on June 6, the cidery hosted its inaugural Day of I Do’s, celebrating the big day for two venturesome couples.
It’s the complete package: Each couple had their own 30-minute slot for vows under the peach orchard arbor, officiated by local interfaith minister Rev. Kate Adamson; their own reception tent for a small group of family and besties; a professional photographer, so no one got delegated to cell phone camera duty; and a mini wedding cake and bottle of cider. Total tab: $750. Then, the couple and their guests were welcome to stay for an afternoon of live music.
If this sounds more like your dream wedding than the extravaganzas on Instagram, Albemarle CiderWorks plans to hold a similar Day of I Do’s in November. Manager Effie Nicholson says she did event planning for large-scale weddings in a previous position in Northern Virginia, and saw “lots of stress and lots of waste.” She hopes A Day of I Do’s will become a regular offering.
“I’d love to see this idea picked up in more places,” she says, “so people have a more affordable option.”
