Carter and Hilary's Wedding in Charlottesville, Virginia
Rustic Fall Ivory 8 wedding vendors
C&H
23 Nov, 2019The story of our wedding
Carter and I met 4+ years ago and it was love at first sight (for me!). We both attended the University of Virginia for undergrad, but never crossed paths. Years later at a pre-football-game brunch, we were introduced by a mutual friend.
Throughout our four year together we had many highs and lows. We lived an hour apart for 3.5/4 years, which was fun for a few years, but then we were READY to move in together in the same city. Along the way we also grew together through my mom's cancer diagnosis, and eventual passing in 2018. Less than a year into her cancer fight she slipped into an abrupt 2 week coma, and when she miraculously awoke, Carter went home and told his parents he was proposing. He planned a weekend at the Rappahanock River with both of our families, my mom included, on June 22, 2018, and popped the question on my family's dock. We planned the wedding immediately knowing we had little time with my mom. We were able to find my wedding dress, choose our venue, find bridesmaids dresses, book our caterer, bands, photographer, florist, fully design our invitations, and even sit down with our planner so that she could hear my mom's desires firsthand. We picked our wedding day, 18 months in the future, knowing that rushing the wedding didn't feel right for us. My mom passed away in August of 2018, which gave us time to begin the grieving process before celebrating our marriage.
Continue reading »We planned a lot of special moments to incorporate my mom into our big day. I wore a floral crown which matched my mom's on her wedding day. My dad hosted a breakfast at our home in honor of her the morning of our wedding, and invited all who knew her. I wore a necklace on our wedding day which my dad had made from my mom's wedding ring, which both of my sisters will also wear on special occasions (like my little sister college graduattion in December!).
My best friend and roommate when Carter and I met was our officiant and his dad was his best man. Carter and I wrote our ceremony from start to finish. Another fun thing we did! Instead of groomsmen/bridesmaids recessing out together after the ceremony, we had all of our wedding party's dates/spouses sit in the first two rows. Each bridesmaid/groomsmen exited with their own significant other. It took some extra planning but was our gesture to the spouses of just how important they are to us as well! We also had them come for photos before the ceremony so they would be in some too. The best part of our wedding was being surrounded by ALL who we love, and who love us.
Carter and Hilary's vendor team
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