1. Real Weddings

A Shabby-Chic Wedding at Riverside On The Potomac in Leesburg, Virginia

What started as a natural waterfront wedding ended in a dance party filled with shabby-chic details we love! Erin Kelly (29 and an NGO worker) and Cor

What started as a natural waterfront wedding ended in a dance party filled with shabby-chic details we love! Erin Kelly (29 and an NGO worker) and Cory Donohue (30 and a teacher) started their day with a simple ceremony overlooking the Potomac River. Dogwood Events lined rows of white folding chairs with large matching balloons. A wedding arch made of twin window panes and colored streamers marked the head of the aisle. The bridesmaid made their entrance in chic, long dresses in their chosen hues as Erin’s brother, her bridesman, followed in a gray suit from his own wedding! Erin stood out in a sweet lace, mermaid wedding dress with a v-neckline and cap sleeves. Cory met her in a "postman" blue suit and burgundy tie. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed mini fried chicken and waffles and other comfort foods as Erin, Cory and their wedding party took the balloons for a few pictures with Audra Wrisley Photography. After they returned, the barn reception quickly changed from a sit-down dinner to an all-out party! “Once the dance party started, very few people sat down for the rest of the night,” says Erin. When they did stop for a moment, guests took their seats at reclaimed wood tables lined with low lanterns, succulents and candles as whimsical chandeliers of the same accents were hung from a wooden bar overhead. Instead of serving wedding cake, Erin and Cory finished off the night with candy, baked goods and a sparkler exit. For future newlyweds, Erin says to focus on the party: “It's going to be one of the only opportunities in your entire life to have all of those people in one room. Make it count.”

Cushion-Cut Diamond Ring with Halo
Once Erin gave her bridesmaids and bridesman a gold, neutral, blush, pale blue and mint color palette, they were free to pick any outfit of their choosing. Each woman chose a long, light-colored gown with a sweetheart neckline. Erin's brother had something a little extra special in mind. "My brother wore the same suit he wore to his own wedding just four months earlier," she says.
"We chose the location because it fit the number of people we were inviting as well as had beautiful views of the Potomac, with rolling hills in the background and a barn that was just as beautiful on the inside as it was on the outside,” says Erin. For their waterfront ceremony, Dogwood Events helped to highlight the venue with rows of white folding chairs, white balloons floating along the aisle and a white, shabby-chic white wedding arch.
“We didn't want to do flowers, because they're so expensive and I've never been a flower person," says Erin. On their wedding day, Erin carried the only bouquet. Their florist designed an arrangement of lavender and scabiosa with white lace wrapped around its stems.
Now this is a new way to use window shutters! Erin and Cory's wedding arch was accented with twin white shutters. Colorful streamers decorated its thin, wire frame.
After searching through Pinterest, Erin and Cory picked out a festive suit for his wedding day look. He wore a "postman" blue suit and a burgundy tie with a subtle, matching blue pattern. His groomsmen, however, stood out in navy blue suits and pale green ties.
Green Crystal Earring Studs with Halo
Mint Wedding Sign with Whimsical Arrows
Natural Succulent-Accented Escort Card Display
Who knew an old-school label maker could do this? Erin and Cory's 170 guests found their names embossed on a black-and-white label and attached to simple white escort cards as they entered the barn reception. For a fun twist, the cards were either hung on a repurposed, gold window pane or placed on a shabby-chic table surrounded by succulents.
Erin and Cory's reception decor was far from typical. "I had seen a lot of wedding photos from blogs based in France and Australia and was inspired by how many beautiful garden weddings there were," says Erin. Dogwood Events lined each table with a mix of tea light candles, rustic lanterns, mason jars filled with succulents and bulb vases of baby's breath as chandeliers of the same accents were hung overhead.
Candy Bar with Whimsical Fish Bowl Server
In lieu of a traditional wedding cake, Erin and Cory had a candy bar fit for a photo opp! Dogwood Events accented a vintage wooden desk with tiered baked goods, cookies and glass bowls filled with candy. Streamers, vintage-style frames and antlers formed the backdrop for an unexpected touch.
The Bridal Beauty Associates made sure Erin's hairstyle stayed in place (and beautiful!) up until their sparkler exit. They styled her hair into a braided updo accented with a flower crown of pink hypericum berries and carnations.