Marcie & Garrett

• Weddings

A blue-sky congratulations go out this week to Marcie & Garrett, who enjoyed a gorgeous outdoor ceremony with close family and friends out at Tuckahoe Plantation, just west of Richmond. They had chosen this spot, in a rustic garden just east of the mansion and at the end of a long dirt road for its authenticity and beauty, and Mother Nature made sure they and their guests were able to take full advantage of it. After seeing each other privately for the first time that day in the grove adjacent to the garden, and after portraits with them and their families, everyone sat and relaxed for a short bit until the ceremony got started. “Off” spray and bug wipes were in great use as the gnat population was also humming that day, but they did their job! Their guests were kept amused prior to the ceremony with programs describing how they knew members of the wedding party and various humorous characteristics of each, including a funny story of how they themselves met. They then said their vows under a massive old oak, the oldest tree in Virginia.

Garrett’s grandfather stood to recite a reading and by the end he and most of the guests were so emotional tears were coming down their faces. Moments like that are so meaningful to us because they illustrate the familial bonds our clients have and just how tightly knit their families are. It’s truly wonderful to witness. Marcie’s godfather, a pastor himself, also offered a final prayer for the couple just before their kiss and recessional back toward the mansion, followed very shortly thereafter by a group photo of the new husband and wife with all their guests.

During cocktail hour in the adjacent garden, everyone lined up to enjoy some signature drinks the couple had helped create while browsing through the rows and rows of beautiful spring blooms while the sun began it’s late-afternoon descent. Later, they all walked across the road and into a nearby field to the tent where the evening’s festivities were to be held. We were so excited, too, that Pam Barefoot of ATrendy Wedding assisted by her longtime friend and associate Kate were on board for this fun wedding. She made sure, as usual, that everything went off that evening without a hitch and is one of the most creative planners we’ve had the pleasure of working with. We get a chance a couple of times a year to document a wedding she’s planned, and always know they’re going to be gorgeous and perfectly suited to each unique couple.

The tables in the tent were decorated by the very talented Al of FloraCulture, with whom we had had the pleasure of working on a couple of occasions in recent months. The evening’s entertainment was provided by a singer/DJ named Norman Voss, who regaled the crowd with old standards over dinner, and a great mix of dance music for the party thereafter. Marcie and her dad’s dance together elicited more tears from onlookers, including Marcie’s mom who was overcome by emotion. Later on, Mosaic catering supplied a large dessert table for all the guests to nibble various treats and even set up a s’mores station with a bonfire, which was a huge hit. So huge, in fact, that they ran out of desserts initially and retrieved more from their café in the west end of Richmond. We could not have asked for a better wedding, and they and their families welcomed us as they would close kin. We had a great time the whole day! Thank you, Marcie & Garrett, and we’re absolutely thrilled for you both!