A Classic Farm Wedding in Charlottesville, Virginia

Old North Wales

Tying the knot anyplace but at North Wales Farm was unthinkable. It's where Kennedy trained as a junior hunter-jumper champion, and it's where Greg popped a bottle of bubbly and proposed atop the old steeplechase tower overlooking the Blue Ridge mountains. Now a Virginia landmark, the 18th-century farm and manor house are steeped in Revolutionary and Civil War history.

Historical Invites

The Rock Paper Scissors stationery included an architect's Jeffersonian-style drawing of the manor house and was based on the story of North Wales Farm, which played a role in the Revolutionary War.

The Bouquet

Clematis, lavender, passion flowers, peonies, garden roses, umbrella ferns, and dusty miller made up Kennedy's bouquet.

Bridesmaids in Teal

Kennedy's bridesmaids chose their own styles of Joanna August silk-chiffon evening gowns. The bride's sister and best friend each wore crystal sashes so they would stand out as maids of honor.

Formal Fashions

The bride wore a strapless Vera Wang dress with a trumpet silhouette and tiered fans of cascading Spanish lace. Her groom chose a bespoke Alton Lane tuxedo.

Father and Daughter

A vintage car transported the bride and her father to the ceremony.

Home Grown

Guests received little burlap bags filled with the farm's own dried organic lavender, which was tossed in lieu of rice.

Altar Space

Climbing roses, open cut roses, clematis, jasmine, and tulip poplar transformed the barn for the ceremony. Hanging lanterns filled with water and floating candles were suspended from wagon wheels attached to the beams.

Antique Getaway

The smooching couple departed the ceremony for a private photo session. "A neighbor kindly lent us a carriage horse," said Kennedy. The antique buggy belonged to her father.

Double-Duty Escort Cards

Matchboxes with table numbers tucked inside served as unexpected escort cards. Partygoers used them to light the candles inside the tent when the sun began to sink behind the mountains. "It was 100 percent illuminated by candlelight!" says Kennedy.

Unique Tablescapes

Each of the 30 tables held a one-of-a-kind arrangement of flowers, fruits, and objects such as porcelain parrots, nests, glass orbs, and antlers.

Dinner is Served

The 260 guests dined on organic, locally sourced dishes, such as chicken and spring lamb chops. The menus, letterpressed onto the same handmade, deckle-edge paper as the invitations, were finished with a wax seal.

Buttercream Confection

Five tiers of lemon-butter cake with fresh meyer lemon curd and lavender mousseline buttercream were covered in ivory fondant and topped with edible flowers.

The Groom's Cake

Designed to look as if a breeze had blown ferns and flowers onto a woodland scene, the Guinness Stout dark chocolate groom's cake featured sugared edible flowers identical to those on the more delicate white wedding cake.

Special Delivery

After dinner, small scrolled notes tied with leather summoned guests outside for "a pleasant surprise"—the fireworks display!

Fresh Favors

Blue Ridge Kettle Korn from Charlottesville and sachets of field-fresh lavender were among the treats given to guests in simple kraft boxes tied with grosgrain ribbons.

Sources

Event Design and Production: Easton Events

Catering: Design Cuisine

Rentals: DC Rental

Floral Design and Rentals: Beehive Events

Photography: Patricia Lyons Photography

Stationery: Rock Paper Scissors (VA)

Calligraphy: Tara Jones

Cake: Paradox Pastry

Music: Piedmont Chamber Players (ceremony); Pop Rocks (reception)

Tent and Lighting: Skyline Tent Co.

Hair: Moxie Hair and Body Lounge

Makeup: Lora Kelley

Transportation: Albemarle Limousine

Welcome-Bag Items: Feast snacks; Jam According to Daniel jam; The Welsh Garden at North Wales Farm lavender products

Videography: Shaking Hand Productions

There's More!

Whether you decide to go big or small, seaside or mountainside, bohemian or black tie, find more wedding inspiration in our fall Real Weddings issue by downloading our app and buying the digital issue for only $.99.