• Real Weddings

Michael and Mallory meet at a year-long leadership program through the Fellows Initiative. They attended seminary classes together, volunteered together, shared meals together and lived in close community with one another in Charlottesville, Virginia. Within days of meeting each other they were smitten, and within months they had fallen madly in love. Michael proposed as the sun set over the Blue Ridge Mountains on the deck of a home where they first meet. Michael even flew Mallory's mom in from Chicago.
Could this love story get any cuter? Here we are a bit later, to celebrate their pink and white shabby chic wedding. Overflowing with sweet and lovely details that Mallory designed and planned herself. All captured by Charlottesville wedding photographer Jon Schaaf. You can see more pretty pictures in the full gallery here.

We wanted to get married outside, somewhere that would showcase the beauty of Virginia. And we wanted to throw an awesome dance party. We quickly chose Ash Lawn-Highland, the historic home of James Monroe, for our venue. The many private gardens, views of the mountains and tented pavilion suited our vision perfectly. The rest of the planning was truly a labor of love.

As a budding stylist, I was excited to handle much of the decor and details myself, and thankfully, we are blessed with some amazingly talented friends and family. Almost all of the vendors are close friends, and that made the day so much more meaningful. The decor reflected the softness of the Virginia landscape. We chose a mostly neutral color palette with some soft greens and blush pinks thrown in. My mom, sisters, bridesmaids and I made or found most of the items that detailed the space. Michael created a rad dance playlist for the reception, and I surprised him with a late-night food station featuring ice cream cones (his favorite dessert). The whole evening was so full of love.

Perhaps my two favorite moments (if I have to choose!) of the day were the ceremony and taking a moment alone with my husband at the reception. We wanted the ceremony to be really personal, so we chose to sing two of our favorite hymns and to read two of our favorite Bible passages. We also had our musicians (my aunt and a close friend) perform the song “Dancing in the Minefields” by Andrew Peterson, a song that both of us love. Then at the reception, a family friend recommended that we take a moment to ourselves, and I’m so glad we did. Just as the sun was setting, we walked out into a field and looked back at the twinkling reception where all our closest family and friends were dancing. That moment is something I’ll remember forever.

You simply must watch this adorable film from Meet+Cute Films. You can see all of Mallory's hard work

https://vimeo.com/25577415

Photographer: Jon Schaaf Photography Event Designer: Mallory Joyce Venue: Ash Lawn-Highland Makeup: Lora Elaine Hair: Lora Elaine Caterer:Traditions Fine Catering Cinematography: Meet+Cute Films Dress Designer: La Sposa Flowers: Floral Designs by Jacquelyn Groom's Attire: Jos. A Bank Shoe Designer: Kate Spade Stationery: Grip Design in Chicago, Illinois Prop or Furniture Rentals: Festive Fare Bride's Wedding Bands: Tiffany & Co. Bride's Reception Hair Flower: EmersonMade Getaway Outfit: Anthropologie Ceremony Music: Josephine Lee-McConkey, the bride's aunt, and Sam Bush of The Hill and Wood Photo Booth: Blinkbooth Desserts: Sweet Madeline Late Night Ice Cream Cones: Chaps Ice Cream Day-of Coordinator: Ashley Coe, friend of the bride | Bridesmaid Dresses: Various | Programs: Maureen Lovett