Real RVA Weddings: Charlotte & Brian
Charlotte & Brian
August 30, 2014
How They Met
Charlotte and Brian met in the Fall of 2011 at JMU where Charlotte was finishing her Bachelor’s degree. Brian, who had just started the MBA program at Radford University, came to JMU to visit a friend. They started dating a week later!
How He Asked
Charlotte says, “Each year, our family goes to GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. It was December 7, 2013, and the whole family was there. We usually finish the night in the greenhouse in front of the huge Christmas tree to take pictures. I noticed that my sister was filming. When I turned back around, Brian was on one knee in front of the tree proposing to me! I was completely shocked, however, I was still able to say “yes!” through my tears! Afterward, we went straight to an engagement party that Brian’s sisters helped him plan where all of our family and friends were waiting.”
Making it Happen
Charlotte found her photographer, Neilson-Hall Photography, and her caterer at the Richmond Wedding Expo. She says, “I loved Crystal’s background in fashion photography from VCU, and her personality fit really well with ours. I also enjoyed the food from Catering by Jill, and Jack was extremely easy-going and took care of all of our needs, including the linens! The food was really important to us, as it is to most people. We wanted to do chef stations, and Catering by Jill did an incredible job with this. There was a lot of variety in the food choices, and so much of it!” Their heavy hors d”™ouevres style gave the reception a really fun feel. People were mingling and trying different things. “There was an Italian station with handmade pizza and a pasta bar, a carving station, a salad station, and a shrimp and grits station, to name a few.”
The Theme
Ever since the Junior League of Richmond had their first event at The Bolling Haxall House, Charlotte knew that she wanted to have her wedding there. To show off the venue and our beautiful city, Charlotte & Brian incorporated a lot of history into their day. They used lace, brass and vintage floral designs to complement The Bolling Haxall House’s decor.
Charlotte says, “When I really look at all of the components of our wedding, I think that the theme truly was family. Our families are so important to us and are such a big part of our lives. We tried really hard to include as many personal touches as we could and honor as many people in our family as we could.”
RW Vendors
Photography: Neilson-Hall Photography
Reception Venue: The Bolling Haxall House
Catering & Rentals: Catering by Jill
Rehearsal Dinner: Sam Miller’s
Other Vendors
Ceremony Site: First Baptist Church
Wedding Consultant & Flowers: Stewart Berry Designs
Officiant: Reverend G. Lynn Turner
Ceremony Music: Pianist, Zachary Dickerson Violinist, Tamara Witte Vocalists, Olivia McLaughlin & Hallie Dineen
Gown, Veil and Shoes: David’s Bridal
Hair & Makeup: Birch Salon
Bridesmaids Dresses: Nordstrom
Invitations: Vistaprint
DJ & Lighting: Dynamite DJs
Cake: Baker’s Kitchen
Accommodations: Linden Row Inn & Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Downtown Richmond
