David & Michele

November 21, 2015

How They Met

Michele tells us, “David and I began talking after meeting on an online dating site. During our first few emails back and forth, we quickly found out that we had a lot in common; one really important thing being the church that we attended, Waters Edge Church. Our church is one church with multiple campuses, at the time, three to be exact. David and I both happened to attend the Yorktown campus, and through further conversation, we found out that we had been missing each other by about 15 minutes for the past three years! We decided to meet in person for the first time shortly before the Christmas of 2013 and it was love at first date. From that first date on, we were pretty much inseparable.”

How He Asked

The bride says, “David and I had discussed recreating our first date for our one year anniversary, but since it’s the day before Christmas Eve, we knew that things would be a little hectic and that we’d have to find another time to do it. In September, David decided that recreating our first date would be the perfect way to propose. We set out that afternoon and had lunch at the Corner Pocket in Williamsburg (the first stop on our first date), then we went and bowled (the second stop on our first date). After that, we drove through the Williamsburg Premium Outlet Mall (the third stop on our first date), where we had our first kiss and then we ended our afternoon with a walk in Colonial Williamsburg.

This was not part of our first date, but it was where we took our first picture as a couple. It was here that David got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. After I said yes through teary eyes, I looked up and saw my mom and dad and one of our family friends who is a photographer taking pictures! The day ended with more pictures and dinner to celebrate at Berret’s in Colonial Williamsburg. It was absolutely the most wonderful day ever!”

The Perfect Place

Michele says, “I absolutely fell in love with Fairview Farm when my mom and I went to visit. Not only was it a beautiful venue, but Debbie and Blanton Gordon were so sweet. They made us feel like family and I just knew we had to have the wedding at Fairview.

Michele says,”We wanted our ceremony to wow our guests! David and I had worked really hard with our pastor on planning our ceremony.  We wanted it to be personal, and we really wanted our family and friends who were married to remember the vows that they shared on their own wedding days. One of the best compliments that we received was from a gentleman who has been married to his wife for over 40 years. He said, ‘Wow, you really made me remember the vows that I said to Marti. Thank you!’ I thought it was really sweet and sincere for him to say that, and I knew that we had made our friends and family a part of our ceremony.”

The Details

The venue was honestly what inspired the décor. As soon as we signed the contract, I began searching barn weddings on Pinterest and loved all of the burlap and lace ideas that I saw. I knew that I wanted coral/peach to be my pop of color with the flowers and through looking at a bunch of ideas and pictures, I decided to do navy and khakis as well.

I also wanted a lot of the details to be DIY. With the help of my parents, I made most of the items used in the wedding, like all of the mason jars, the table numbers, signage at the front of the aisle, the window pane seating charts, the Jenga game, and the Here comes the love of your life sign.”

We are in LOVE with this cake topper!

The Best Part

Michele tells us, “My favorite part of the day was standing next to David after my dad had walked me down the aisle and knowing that after 694 days of loving this amazing man I was finally going to be able to call him my husband. I remember feeling so full of love and happiness that I might burst.”

We fell completely in love with Michele when she wrote, “We seriously had the most amazing vendors! Our day would not have been as perfect as it was without any of them. There are absolutely no words to thank them for helping to make our day such a dream come true! I feel like a built such a close relationship with them during the wedding that I actually miss communicating with them now that the wedding is over.”

RW Vendors

Rehearsal Dinner & Wedding Venue: Fairview Farm Events

Wedding Consultant & Floral Design: Kim Moody Design

Catering: Goodrich Gourmet Catering Company

Music, Photobooth & Lighting: Choice Entertainment

Invitations & Stationery: By Invitation Only

Accommodations: Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa at Short Pump

Additional Vendors

Photography & Videography: We Are The Mitchells

Officiant: Davy Saunders with Waters Edge Church

Gown, Veil, Shoes, & Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal

Hair & Makeup: Jennifer Saunders MUA

Jeweler: Jared – The Galleria of Jewelry

Formalwear: Jos. A. Bank

Additional Entertainment: Phil Poteat

Cake/Sweets: Cakes by Graham

Transportation: James Limousine

Additional Accommodations: Hyatt House Richmond-West