Real Weddings – Traditional

Ali and Wood exchanged vows on the mountain overlooking Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, in todays gorgeous Charlottesville Va tent wedding! Ultimately their goal was to complement the panoramic views with twinkling lights and natural décor throughout the day. Ali says they embraced the idea of a magical forest on top of the mountain. Under a birch arch adorned with the prettiest florals by Southern Blooms, the couple wed on a grassy overlook not far from their reception tent site. For a personal homespun touch the brides brothers constructed white Adirondack chairs and placed them at another lovely view – echoing the scene at her family’s favorite restaurant at Acadia National Park in Maine. During the reception, the couple served the bride’s family’s rum signature cocktail, “The Nightmare,” a rum-and-juice concoction invented at their river home in Deltaville, Virginia, and Potter’s Craft Cider from Albemarle County. Read further for more details about their dreamy Charlottesville Virginia wedding by Meghan McSweeney Photography.

Favorite part of the day: “The ceremony, seeing my almost husband at the end of the aisle waiting for me, walking with my dad to meet him, shaking because I was excited the day had come. Then walking down the aisle after our vows, so thrilled to finally be married and seeing all the people we love there cheering us on! Then the dancing! Our first dances were a ball – Wood and I were so nervous we forgot how to do the pretzel! Our band, Perfect 10, was amazing and everyone didn’t stop dancing from the moment after the cake was cut until Wood and I left in our getaway car!”

Advice for couples planning: “Don’t worry about the details once the week comes. There is nothing you can do to change what the decor will be like, what the weather will do, when people will start to dance, how long photos take, etc., so release it! You have put in your planning time and now it’s time to celebrate! Also, take the ceremony in and make yourself acknowledge the significance of the next moments. The reception will be a whirlwind, but during the ceremony you can “stop time” and soak in that you and the person you love most are committing to each other for life.”

The following Washington DC wedding professionals contributed to this Charlottesville tented wedding:

Photography: Meghan McSweeney Photography | Venue: Montalto | Wedding Cake: Cakes by Rachel | Rentals: MS Events | Videography: Ginger Topham | Ceremony Musicians: Afton Ensembles | Floral: Southern Blooms | Reception Musicians: The Perfect 10 Band | Tent: Virginia Tent Rental | Lighting: Blue Ridge A/V and Lighting | Catering: Harvest Moon Catering | Linens: Harvest Moon Catering | Drinks: Potter’s Craft Cider | Wedding Planning: White Birch Events | Invitations: Art By Alee | Officiant: Jon-Marc Haden | Makeup: Gohar Ayvazyan Beaver | Hair: Top Knot Studio | Hair: ELLE Style Studio | Hair: Brianna B. Adams LLC | Transportation: AGoff Limousine & Bus Company | Rehearsal Venue: Farmington Country Club | Submitted via: Matchology