1. Real Weddings

A Lavish, Sophisticated Wedding at a Private Residence near Charlottesville, Virginia

Melanie Wilson (34, director of operations for a non-profit) and Jerry Bias (45, senior partner at a hedge fund) met while working in New York City. T

Melanie Wilson (34, director of operations for a non-profit) and Jerry Bias (45, senior partner at a hedge fund) met while working in New York City. They had been dating for two years when Jerry proposed to Melanie at the Conservatory Garden in Central Park. Although Jerry ruined his suit when he knelt down in a pile of bird droppings, it was a small price to pay for Melanie's hand in marriage. The couple had already decided to buy a historic Georgian house on a 60 acre farm in Charlottesville, Virginia, and when the time came to decide on a location for their wedding, they decided it was the perfect place. "It was important to us to highlight the natural beauty of Virginia in the fall and maintain an understated elegance throughout the wedding," says Melanie. As a result, Melanie and Jerry's intimate wedding was lavish and sophisticated.The rain prevented them from having an outdoor ceremony, but they were still able to have a beautiful program in their tented courtyard. The breathtaking reception was held in the same courtyard, with wreaths hanging from the transparent canopy, greenery in every corner, verdant tall centerpieces and bell jar flower arrangements. Stationery at this Charlottesville wedding included the wine red invitation suite printed on rice paper, matching escort cards displayed on a fichus tree and scrolls as menus. The couple dressed stylishly on their wedding day, with Melanie in a stunning fit & flare Amsale wedding gown and Jerry in a white Zegna tuxedo with a red calla lily boutonniere. Their wedding was fun and memorable thanks to their impeccable taste and attention to detail.

Melanie and Jerry's elegant invitation suite, which was provided by Rock, Paper, Scissors, consisted of wine red Jeffersonian font printed on rice paper.
Melanie looked stunning in a faille fit & flare wedding dress called Nolita by Amsale. She wore her hair up in a simple French twist. She also wore champagne colored wedge heels with crystal embellishments from Benjamin Adam.
Melanie's white bouquet included hydrangeas and calla lilies as well as white roses and succulents.
The tent under which both the ceremony and reception were held had wreaths of branches and greens hanging from its spine.
Melanie wore a tiered fingertip veil during her wedding ceremony.
Jerry wore a white tuxedo with a white tie and red calla lily boutonniere on his wedding day.
Bride and Groom at Their Private Residence in Charlottesville
Melanie and Jerry displayed their guests' escort cards by hanging them from the branches of a fichus tree. The escort cards, which had wine red calligraphy printed on rice paper, matched the invitation suite.
Tented Courtyard Reception in Charlottesville, Virginia
Dining tables at the reception were set with powder blue linens and bamboo chiavari chairs with matching powder blue cushions. The dramatic centerpieces consisted of tall glass vases filled with greens, magnolia branches, red snapdragons and other seasonal flowers.
Table numbers were written on books from Melanie and Jerry's library. Flower arrangements included wood boxes with white peonies, white calla lilies, stock flowers and candles.
As reception decor, glass cloches were filled with pinecones and moss.
Menu Scrolls with Sprigs of Lavender
Cake Cutting at Charlottesville Farm Wedding