Newly weds Kate and Trevor tied the knot at the historic Bolling Haxall House in Richmond, Virginia. We love a good DIY wedding, and Kate certainly nailed their vision for an Art Nouveau and Art Deco themed celebration! The venue, custom designed stationery, and carefully selected antiques and vintages pieces transport us back to the early 1900’s.
What was the most memorable part of your wedding day?
Trevor and I had originally planned a large celebration. However, as the saying goes, “something unexpected always happens on your wedding.” The events of 2020 surprised us all. In response, Trev and I chose to have an intimate ceremony, attended by immediate family, in my parents’ garden. We were inspired by the amount of love and support our family and friends showed us throughout this past year.
For our first anniversary, Trevor and I renewed our vows in the presence of all our loved ones. During the reception, a guest asked, “How are you so happy?” I found this funny. It had never occurred to me that our happiness is unusual. The answer to his question was and still remains simple: We love each other and know we’ll always be there for one another.
Kate, paint us a picture. What was the theme, style, colors, and overall vibe of your wedding day?
Overall Aesthetic…Inspiration: Art Nouveau and Art Deco (1890–1930)
Theme: Vintage
Mood: Romantic and idyllic
Style: Elegant and whimsical
Season: Autumn
Color Palette: Rich and muted jewel tones
Decorative Accents: Birds and feathers
Trevor and I grew up in the greater Richmond area, which provided for ample opportunities to learn. I explored my interest in the fine arts, while Trevor developed a wealth of knowledge in various subjects, such as history.
With our passions in mind, we chose The Historic Bolling Haxall House, located in the heart of downtown Richmond.
The selection of this venue and my fondness for Art Nouveau inspired the vintage theme for our celebration. In homage to Virginia and Trevor’s avian interests, we chose to incorporate cardinals and feathers throughout our decor.
What was your favorite part of planning your wedding?
Trevor and I agreed on a vision. And I set out to make it come to life. Seeing my designs printed on stationery and published online was incredibly rewarding. All of our printed materials were custom-made, and most of our decor was sourced by my mom and me.
Together, over the course of a few years, we collected antiques, vintage pieces, and novelty items. These additions helped make the celebration feel like it was Trevor’s and mine, and now, we have not only memories but also keepsakes that we’ll cherish.
What was the best investment you made for your wedding?
Making decisions (especially financial ones) can be challenging, but working together makes it a lot easier. While we were planning, Trevor and I both agreed that the food had to be impeccable. We selected a local restaurant, which is renowned for its brunch. Their team collaborated with us to create a custom menu! At our reception, numerous guests came up to us. They wished us the best and then commented on their meals, asking who catered.
Trev and I couldn’t help but laugh–to say the least, we were incredibly pleased! Beyond that, we each chose something important, something to splurge on. For Trev, that was music. And for me, it was photography. We’re really glad with our decisions; they balanced one another. The live band got everyone in good spirits and on their feet, dancing. Our photographer captured every moment. All said and done, we were able to enjoy the day and now have memories to look back on.
Is there anything you would have done differently?
Upon reflection, I wish we had delegated responsibilities and tasks earlier in the planning process. Taking on everything ourselves caused undue stress. We later learned that our family, friends, and vendors were more than willing to help. All we had to do was ask.
What was your favorite part of using WedSites for your wedding?
Planning is complex. WedSite’s features help organize all of that–from seating charts to vendor details, and even spending and budgeting. I’m glad that I can reach out to customer support when needed, but I really appreciate that WedSites offers resources, such as tutorials, which provide instruction on how to use the builder effectively.
Wedding planning is notoriously stressful. Now that you’ve gone through the process, do you have any advice or words of wisdom for couples who are currently in the midst of planning theirs?
Enjoy newly-engaged bliss. Envision your future together–who’s there with you and how are you living? Answering these questions can be fun and will help guide you in planning your wedding. (Maybe you both have large families and want everyone there. Or perhaps, you dream of buying a home together and need to budget expenses.) Whatever your responses–that’s okay. This event is meant to be a celebration of your relationship. And it’s only one day of the life ahead of you.
The amazing team of vendors involved with this wedding
Ceremony Venue: Linden Row Inn
Reception Venue: Bolling Haxall House
Caterer: Brunch… Lunch. Supper!
Band: Antique Melody Show
Photographer: Leeann Marie Photography
Florist: David Pippin
Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist: Lou Stevens
Dress Designer: Maggie Sottero
Suit Designer: H.M. Cole
Website & Planning: WedSites