1. Real Weddings

A Whimsical Circus Wedding at Inn at the Old Silk Mill in Fredericksburg, Virginia

Maggie Erwin (28 and an actor) and Doug Wilder (33 and an actor and education director) said “I do” during a traditional Mass at St. Mary of the Immac

Maggie Erwin (28 and an actor) and Doug Wilder (33 and an actor and education director) said “I do” during a traditional Mass at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, and followed their vow exchange with dinner and dancing at the Inn at the Old Silk Mill in Fredericksburg, Virginia. “We fell in love with the mill the moment we walked in,” Maggie says. “The brick walls and character of this awesome space made us feel that we’d be able to have a cozy, fun space for our big numbers.” Maggie and Doug's reception had with a vintage circus theme. “We’re both two wacky entertainers, and it felt fitting to provide a sense of whimsy for our guests," Maggie says. "It also gave us an opportunity to be extra-creative with our decorations and invitations.” The couple brought their vintage circus party to life from the DIY elements (red velvet curtains and signs) to the whimsical decor—colorful umbrellas, a candy station, a popcorn machine and a hanging-moon photo booth. For table centerpieces, Maggie, her sister and her mother collected vintage born bottles and tin containers from antiques stores and filled them with twinkle lights and autumn-colored flowers. Maggie made all the paper products as well, designing the save-the-dates, invitations, escort cards, table numbers and thank-you cards. The couple’s friend Missy designed their wedding logo, a watercolor painting of them sitting on a paper moon in the sky. As a wedding favor, small square magnets of their watercolor wedding logo were placed at each seat with a little card that read, “You’re stuck in your hearts. Now let us stick on your fridge.” Personal touches extended beyond the DIY decor to sentimental moments throughout the reception. Maggie surprised Doug with their first-dance song. Their friends sang a three-part harmony cover of the "Friends" theme song, “I’ll Be There for You.” As Maggie and Doug danced along, friends got up and sang along. “He absolutely loved it, and we’re so thankful to those friends for adding their voices to our lives, and our first dance,” Maggie says. In lieu of cake, the couple had two giant cast-iron skillets filled with blackberry and apple cobblers that they served to guests themselves. Clad in "Mrs. Wilder" and "Mr. Wilder" aprons, Maggie and Doug dished up cobblers a la mode. “It was so special to just calm things down, serve our guests and share that extra moment with them,” Maggie says. “Oh, and we didn’t take those aprons off for a while. I think we danced three songs with them on.” —Marissa Hermanson

Maggie designed the save-the-dates, invitations, place cards, table numbers, thank-you cards and signs. The couple’s friend Missy painted the wedding logo, a watercolor of Maggie and Doug sitting on a paper moon in the sky.
Maggie carried a bouquet of yellow billy balls, orange ranunculus, burgundy dahlia, cottage red yarrow, mint green succulents, green seeded eucalyptus, red mini gerbera daisies, orange celosia and hot pink bouvardia. “The bouquets were bright and semiautumnal but just looked colorful and happy,” she says.
“I spent a day shopping with each bridesmaid, and every one of these incredible women found a beautiful neutral, gold or rose-gold beaded dress to go along with the vintage look,” Maggie says. Maggie's cousin Tim was also one of her attendants, sporting a suit that complemented the palette.
“For each bridesmaid, I chose a flower that had a meaning related to her soul,” Maggie says. “Yes, very cheesy, but this made the whole process meaningful and fun.” Bridesmaid bouquets incorporated green seeded eucalyptus (symbolizing spiritually) and a flower that represented that bridesmaid.
Groomsmen sported mismatched slim-fit suits in light blue-gray, herringbone and bright blue with skinny ties in various metallic shades. “These gents looked smashing,” Maggie says. Nan, one of Doug's attendants, donned a matching blue suit with a gold sweater and necklace (to match the bridesmaids).
The couple was married in a traditional Catholic wedding ceremony at Maggie's childhood church, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fredericksburg, VA.
Maggie and Doug brought their vintage circus theme to life with DIY elements like red velvet curtains and funky signs.
Maggie designed her funky escort cards to look like admission tickets.
Colorful umbrellas were hung upside down from the ceiling, bringing a whimsical vibe to the celebration at Inn at the Old Silk Mill in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Maggie, her sister and her mother collected vintage born bottles and tin containers from antiques stores around Virginia and New Orleans, filling them with twinkle lights and wedding flowers. Tables were dressed in light beige clothes, with half using lace runners and the other using half lace overlays.
A candy bar was created out of an old cabinet. “Beautiful favor bags could be filled with every candy imaginable,” Maggie says. “A huge hit for all, especially the 10-and-under crowd.”
A popcorn station with old-fashioned popcorn bags provided snacks for guests throughout the evening at Inn at the Old Silk Mill in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
A hanging-moon photo booth was a nod to Maggie and Doug's wedding logo, which their friend Missy designed and they used as a design element on their paper products and favors.
Rather than serve wedding cake, Maggie and Doug had two giant cast-iron skillets filled with blackberry and apple cobbler. They served guests themselves, clad in aprons with "Mr. Wilder" and "Mrs. Wilder" printed on them. “It was so special to just slow things down, serve our guests and share that extra moment with them,” Maggie says. “Oh, and we didn’t take those aprons off for a while. I think we danced three songs with them on.”
Small square magnets of their watercolor wedding logo were printed and placed at every seat with a little card that read, “You’re stuck in our hearts. Now let us stick on your fridge.”