The Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club in Virginia Beach. First, guests enjoyed cocktails on the back lawn of the Cavalier overlooking the water. Then the groom and groomsmen arrived in a lavender boat to make a grand entrance. The ketubah signing occurred inside. Then the open-air ceremony took place on the back lawn overlooking Linkhorn Bay.
SEASON OF CHOICE
Spring is the couple’s favorite time of year with the first weekend in May the perfect kick-off.
A FLORAL EVENT
The letterpress invitation had an off center pale pink peony on it, creating the romantic and floral theme for the wedding. The ceremony had the feeling of romance mixed with a little eclectic. The bridesmaids wore either lavender or lilac so they carried a bouquet of hydrangea in the opposite color of what they were wearing. The florist, Helga Macko, created a bridal bouquet of pale pink peonies. The chuppah was covered in hydrangea and peonies.
AND THE BRIDE WORE
The bride loves and collects belts, so when she saw that the satin gown designed by Jenny Lee had a pearl and crystal beaded belt; she knew it was the dress for her! She wore a triple strand diamond necklace as her something borrowed and a cathedral length veil with intermittent crystals on the tulle, all of which accentuated the belt.
THOSE BRIDESMAIDS WERE DIVINE
In Vera Wang Maids of their own choosing. They could pick either lavender or lilac gowns of crepe-backed satin and/or chiffon, making the look very fashionable and eclectic. “I wanted them to look more like the cover of “Vanity Fair” than “Brides.” For an elegant feeling, they all wore different diamond chandelier earrings on loan from the bride’s store, Either Ore Jewelers.
THE GROOM WORE
A one-button tux by Ermenegildo Zegna. He wore Cristofle cufflinks in the shape of skull and crossbones as a fun nod to the groomsmen all arriving by boat. Pale pink ties completed the look to coordinate with the bridesmaids.
A MOMENT TO REMEMBER
The groom’s grand entrance by boat was a fun surprise for guests during the cocktail hour. The semi-private ketubah signing prior to the ceremony was very special. We took dancing lessons for our first dance, “Better Together” by Jack Johnson and our wedding bands were engraved with the words, “Better Together Forever.”
THE CELEBRATION
The Galliard Trio played classical music during the cocktail hour and ceremony, and then The Hotcakes played during the reception. The tent was decorated with chandeliers and long rectangular tables with tall vases with branches and orchids, surrounded by lots of candlelight, creating a very earthy but modern feeling. Each place was set with an oversized fatsia leaf that was hand-picked from the bride’s parent’s home. The menu cards also served as place cards personalized with the guests name on them. The cake had alternating layers of chocolate and almond with chocolate mousse and raspberry filling.
THE FAVORS
At the end of the evening, guests could pack a bag of their favorite candy from the candy bar with Heath bars that said, “Sweet Dreams. Love the Heaths.”
THE PARTING MEMORY
We had a sparkler exit and left on the boat outfitted with a “JUST MARRIED” sign.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELEISE THEUER
www.eleisetheuer.com