Real RVA Wedding: Abigail & Josh, our Cover Couple!
Abigail & Joshua
February 14, 2015
In honor of their upcoming first anniversary (they got married on Valentine’s Day!), we want to introduce you to our cover couple, Abigail & Joshua! While planning our cover shoot, we fell in love with the two of them and their story! They met on Tinder when Abigail decided to flip through the app out of curiosity. When she saw Joshua, she swiped right, and they started talking via text, then phone calls and then Skype. They finally met in person for their first date at Joshua’s favorite: Chick-Fil-A.
Both Joshua and Abigail didn’t want to get into a serious relationship unless they felt it might be THE relationship. Abigail says, “That winter, Joshua went on a missions trip to Uganda. It was there that he realized he wanted to marry me. On February 14, 2014, he asked me to be his girlfriend. And exactly a year later, we were married!”
Joshua’s proposal took Abigail completely by surprise. She was a little frustrated with him because when he was supposed to be spending time with her family one Sunday, he kept running off instead. When Abigail had to go pick him up from his father’s church, she found Joshua in the candlelit sanctuary with a slideshow playing of all of their photos and videos together. It wasn’t until Joshua said, “Will you be my wife?” that Abigail realized he was proposing!
It was pure coincidence that the venue Abigail fell in love with, The Mill at Fine Creek, had an opening on the couple’s one year dating anniversary: Valentine’s Day. Abigail loved the unique, earthy feel of the ruins, so she and Joshua decided to have a short engagement (they chose the venue in late October).
With just over three months to plan, these two and their family and friends kicked things into overdrive! Abigail says, “My mom and sisters all made multiple girl trips down to Virginia to dress shop (Abigail found the gown at Bridal Elegance in Short Pump), visit venues and go to tasting parties!”
The couple chose a neutral color palate to compliment the whimsical feel of the space and provided warm blankets to keep their guests cozy during the outdoor ceremony that she always dreamed of. Abigail will always cherish the moment she saw her future husband waiting for her under the twinkling lights of the ruins.
This little girl stopped us in our tracks — how sweet is she watching the bride come down the aisle??
Abigail says, “My favorite part of the day was walking down the aisle with my dad, having those few moments with him, and then looking up to see my future husband standing at the end. It was very surreal and a very special moment.”
Abigail & Josh wanted to keep their wedding look earthy and neutral. She says, “I knew I wanted it to have a bit of an earthy, free, wild feel. I didn’t want bright, flashy colors, or a very structured look. I think this came through with the color I choose for the bridesmaids dresses and the flower arrangements. I did want to incorporate hints of gold and silver to reflect the charm and coziness of the night, as well as the mixed white gold and yellow gold of mine & Joshua’s rings.”
Josh’s favorite part of the night was their big dance. The two decided to surprise their guests with a choreographed first dance to “Sugar” by Maroon 5. It was a hit! You can actually watch it on YouTube HERE! It is completely adorable and has over 1 million views! We might be seeing them on So You Think You Can Dance soon. 😉
RW Vendors
Wedding Gown: Bridal Elegance
Accommodations: Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa at Short Pump
Vendors
Photography: Chelsea Diane Photography
Venue, Rentals, Lighting, & Catering: The Mill at Fine Creek
Rehearsal Dinner: Grace Harvest Baptist Church
Bridal Shower: Shyndigz & The Tobacco Company Restaurant
Videography: eMotion Pictures Wedding Films
Officiant: Mark Wells (Joshua’s father)
Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Music: Jonathan Knabe & Elizabeth Dechent
Shoes: Nordstrom
Engagement Ring: Kay Jewelers
Wedding Bands: Fink’s Jeweler’s
Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie
Formalwear: Men’s Wearhouse
DJ: Gary Pietryk
Floral Design: M. Henry Designs
Cake: Baker’s Kitchen
Additional Accommodations: Aloft Richmond West