Romantic Garden Estate Meets French Countryside Wedding

Victor and I were married at the historic Mayhurst Estate on a late summer day in September. This Estate served as the enchanting backdrop for a truly unforgettable wedding celebration. 

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The Engagement & Venue Inspiration

Victor and I ran into each other in DC after graduating from college, we dated for 5 years prior to getting engaged on a rooftop tour at the Biltmore Estate. Victor proposed with a custom ring he designed with the diamond from the ring Victor’s Dad proposed to his mom with. He truly combined my love for design, the outdoors, and family into one proposal. 

We toured wedding venues both in DC and where my parents live in Orange, VA. After touring the Mayhurst Estate I knew this was the location I wanted to get married. Getting engaged at the Biltmore which is inspired by French Architecture made arriving at the Mayhurst Estate feel like a sign. The historic architecture, which is also French inspired architecture, provided a picturesque view for guests to enjoy dinner and dancing under a large outdoor tent while exploring the property during cocktail hour. 

As a wedding stationery designer I’m a true believer that the venue and location should influence the event. This aligned well with my own aesthetic as I have a soft spot for nostalgia, and french country design.

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Inspired by History & Family

When designing my own wedding I wanted it to feel like a romantic garden meets historic luxury. We wanted to fully embrace the venue’s lush landscape and rich architectural heritage to bring out a whimsical and organic aesthetic. The blend of sage green and antique gold touches with taper candle light enhanced the spirit of serenity. The exterior of the Inn is just as beautiful as the interior with giant magnolias and flowering plants everywhere you look. The soft, sophisticated design included stationery and antique dish-ware to create a cohesive look. The air was filled with a sense of timeless elegance. Family and friends gathered under the glow of candles and bud vases that cast a romantic ambiance over the festivities. The celebration unfolded seamlessly, blending our love story with the inn's rich history. Since I’m an artist and graphic designer I loved designing the entire wedding suite along with hand painted signage and details, calligraphy place cards, throughout the entire evening.

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Getting Ready

I got ready with my 4 bridesmaids and my mom in the Italian Suite at the Mayhurst Estate. Victor and his groomsmen got ready in the Farmhouse Cottage, a small venue separate from the main house so we wouldn't run into each other until the ceremony.

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Ceremony

We got married at St. Isidore Church, about a mile down the road from the Mayhurst Estate. I really love this intimate and small church. It is also my parents' church so I felt very comfortable and at home here. As an extra bonus the lighting from the stained glass windows add an extra beauty to the space.

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Cocktail Hour

We had cocktail hour in the courtyard of the Inn. We had sage green cocktail tables, live music, and cornhole. Guests were free to explore the property while sipping on drinks and enjoying passed hor d'oeuvres.

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The Details

As an artist and graphic designer I loved designing the entire wedding suite along with hand painted signage and details, calligraphy place cards, as well as the overall aesthetic and art direction of the evening.

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Table Settings

We had a seated dinner reception with each table having a different set of antique dish-ware with a choice of Braised Ribs, Lemon Chicken, or Vegetarian. I created custom koozies for the event with a drawing of the Mayhurst that I did myself.

Signage

I hand painted way finding signage through the event so guests could seamlessly flow through the property. Guests played cornhole and visited the property's goats during cocktail hour. Guests then passed through a 100 year old boxwood hedge to enter the large white Sailcloth Tent for the reception. The welcome sign was a large gold mirror I now have hanging in the entryway of our home. Everyone was then able to find their table and calligraphy place cards. I used the same wax seal from the invites on the welcome board and name cards to make the flow feel cohesive.

The Stationery

Being a graphic designer and illustrator I designed all our wedding stationery, signage, and day of paper. Designing this wedding led me into leaving my full time role as a graphic designer for Tuckernuck to working with brides to design their weddings and events.

Florals & Decor

The florals were done in a simple ivory with a lot of greenery, with touches of pink roses a whimsical, organic but refined aesthetic.

Wedding Cake

The wedding cake was crafted by Cake Bloom, who placed real florals on the cake based off of the wedding florals. My aunt brought us a Kransekake (Norwegian Almond Ring Cake), has a gift and nod to my Swedish / Danish heritage on my father’s side.

Readings & Music

The ceremony included readings by my older brother’s, and my parents priest officiated. Matt Waller performed during cocktail hour and the reception. The first dance song was "Beyond" by  Leon Bridges, the entrance song was "Good Day" by Rebelution (a favorite band of both of us).

Special Detail No. 1

After leaving the ceremony Victor and I drove his dad’s antique porsche back to the Mayhurst Estate which was perfect! I loved having a special moment to ourselves right after we got married.

Special Detail No. 2

We buried bourbon a month out from our wedding, this is a southern tradition to hope for good weather on your wedding day. On our wedding day we dug up the bourbon and enjoyed it on a clear late summer day. Victor is a bourbon collector so this made sense for us. Also Blantons has a letter on the cork to spell out their name so we made sure to get a B for Bloom.

Special Detail No. 3

While Victor and I chose to see each other for the first time down the aisle I did a first look with my dad. There wasn't a dry eye at the house.

Special Detail No. 4

We had a surprise special guest. The owners of the Mayhurst Estate had recently adopted a kitten named Howard. Mayhurst was originally called Howard's Place named by John Willis (who built Mayhurst). Love this nod to the history! This tiny guy kept making fun appearances throughout the weekend and all the guests enjoyed his playful antics.

The Fashion

Wedding Gown: I knew I wanted something simple, elegant, with a touch of details. I got my dress from a small boutique in Occoquan, VA Labella Bridal. I love the lace and bow touches on the sleeves that mix with the simple form fitting silhouette. The back is a a v shape with small buttons flowing down. I wore a small gold leaf beret in my hair and  paired the dress with Loeffler Randall Shoes and a necklace from my mom, a bracelet from my grandma, and earrings Victor had given me. 

Bridesmaids Dresses: The bridesmaid dresses were a sage green of different silhouettes from Anthropologie. I gifted the ladies marble clutches and gold floral hoop earrings from Tuckernuck. 

Groom & Groomsmen: Victor and the groomsmen wore a black tuxes. Victor wore cufflinks with his monogram that I had gifted him along with a handkerchief I gave that day custom embroidered.

Guests: Attire was Black Tie Optional

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& we danced the night away

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