Real Wedding ~ Leslie and Jarrod

Leslie and Jarrod's wedding at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, VA was sent to us by Katie Stoops Photography. With both the bride and groom in the advertising industry as art directors their wedding day was filled with custom design elements and an aesthetic all their own. The event was designed in a palette of purples, soft pink, ivory and white accented by natural elements in khaki and green. Leslie designed the invitations in a black lace trim design and gorgeous rich purple pocket fold adorned with four birds perched on a branch. She wore a pretty lace strapless gown accessorizing with a pair of amethyst and gold chandelier earrings and feather fascinator tucked into her low curled side chignon. Her bridesmaids wore cocktail dresses in a variety of figure flattering silhouettes and in a range of purples from indigo to lavender blush that they paired with similar smaller versions of Leslie's soft pink, blush, ivory and white bouquet. Jarrod and his groomsmen wore khaki trousers paired with white button downs and lavender ties, while Jarrod added a tailored khaki vest. Situated on the lawn of the botanical gardens Leslie and Jarrod exchanged vows under an arched white arbor flanked by two beautiful garden inspired wreaths of fresh green leaves, hydrangea blossoms and roses in soft pink, blush and ivory.

The reception was relaxed and casual, held beneath an open air tent adjacent to Bloemendall House a historic landmark with views of Lakeside Lake. Guest tables were covered in crisp white linens with lavender-gray fabric draped at its center providing the base for the centerpieces of mixed found objects from birdcages filled with nests to bundles of vintage books tied with twine. The vintage inspired found objects were paired with a variety of floral centerpieces from small arrangements of vibrant yellow craspedia in mason jars to full bouquets of soft pink peonies and ivory roses punctuate with green trachelium and sprigs of baby's breath. Leslie designed a custom cornhole game with the couple's silhouettes that provided entertainment on the lawn for guests. The custom silhouettes were the major design element of the day seen in everything from the ceremony programs to the lavender cocktail napkins and guest note cards that were used in lieu of the traditional guest book. Pom pom garland in ivory and varied shades of purple were hung between the white arbor where the couple's three tier ivory confection was displayed. The butter cream frosted cake featured the couple's black silhouette design and a cake topper of hydrangea and both ivory and soft pink roses created by Sweetest Thing Bakery.

Credits:
Photography: Katie Stoops Photography. Wedding Planner: Merriment Events. Hair: Jen Smith. Makeup: Avenue 42 Designs. Ceremony Flowers and Bouquets: Flower Girls. Venue: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Ceremony Musicians: Jonathan Vasssar & The Speckled Bird. Cake: Sweetest Thing Bakery. Band: TFC.