Best of Hunt Country Weddings 2021 

Written by Kaitlin Hill 

After a year of postponements, 2021 saw an explosion of wedding celebrations thanks to the promising protection of vaccines, access to testing, and eased state restrictions on gatherings. In fact, The Knot reported double the number of registries in 2021 as compared to 2020, and The Wedding Report, a wedding data research firm, predicted 2.77 million weddings across the U.S. for the year 2021, over a million more than 2020 and a 30% increase from 2019, according to Forbes.  

The spike in nuptials resulted in some truly distinctive gatherings in Hunt Country. From a bohemian-disco aesthetic at The Middleburg Barn to a whimsical Harry Potter celebration at Historic Rosemont Springs in Berryville, each celebration was as unique as the couple saying, “I do.” However, as each set of newlyweds describes their wedding in their own words, a common theme surfaces — even in an ongoing pandemic, love always finds a way. 

Bailey & Rhys 

January 30, 2021 at Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, VA 

Two weeks before their wedding date, Bailey and Rhys switched their ceremony from downtown D.C. to Middleburg, a meaningful place for Bailey’s family. “My dad grew up in Middleburg, his side of the family is from there. My grandmother, until she passed last year, was living there,” Bailey says. She adds, “I was actually baptized at Trinity in Upperville.” They exchanged vows in front of 16 of their closest friends and family on the steps of Trinity Episcopal Church and held an intimate reception at the Salamander Resort & Spa following the ceremony. They added warmth to the chilly January day with floral-forward decor and a blush, blue, and burgundy color pallet. Of the big day, Bailey says, “It was so special that I felt so present and able to enjoy time with each individual person that was able to be there.”  

Vendors: 
Church: Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville 
Wedding Planner: Grit & Grace, Inc. @gritandgraceinc
Photography: Abby Jiu Photography @abbyjiu
Videography: Clayton Films
Flowers: Amaryllis, Inc. @amaryllisinc
Hair: Elegant Hair by Remona 
Makeup: Hair and Makeup by Claudine @hairandmakeupbyclaudine
Dress: Carine’s Bridal Atelier @carinesbridal
Rentals: Table Manners and Perfect Settings 
Paper Goods: Steph B. Designs 
Ring Boxes: The Styling Reserve 

MacKenzie & Brad 

April 24, 2021 at Mortgage Hall Estate in Middleburg, VA 

D.C. couple MacKenzie and Brad celebrated in true Hunt Country fashion at Mortgage Hall in Middleburg. “We really just wanted our wedding to be elegant but simple. We aren’t fussy people, but we do love delicate details,” MacKenzie shares. Pops of pale blue and blush added softness to the gorgeous gold table settings topped with antique gold keys. True to their unfussy style, the couple enjoyed a playful s’mores bar in addition to their sweet and simple two-tier cake from Honeybee Pastries in Leesburg. Furry friends added to memorable moments during their wedding weekend too. The couple posed with Mortgage Hall’s resident donkeys and horses and surprised guests with a visit from the Middelburg Hunt. “When the dogs showed up, that was a surprise. And there was pure joy on MacKenzie’s face,” Brad says. MacKenzie adds, “When [guests] realized it was part of it, everyone was just so excited.” 

Vendors:
Wedding Planner: Vida Events @vida_events
Photography: Michael and Laura Photography @michaelandlauraphotography
Videography: Michael Lemley Films @michaellemleyfilms
Catering: Main Event Catering @maineventcatrs
Cake: Honeybee Pastries @honeybeepastriesllc
Florals: Wisteria Studio @wisteriastudio
Hair and Makeup: Behind the Veil @btvbeauty
Rentals: Something Vintage @smthingvintage

Andrea & Rodger 

May 21, 2021 at The Red Fox Inn & Tavern in Middleburg, VA 

The historic Red Fox Inn & Tavern was the backdrop for Andrea and Rodger’s spring celebration. “We fell in love with the charm of the town and of The Red Fox — the stone building, the beautiful courtyard, and secret garden — it all looked even better than we had envisioned for our wedding day,” shares Andrea of her choice to get married in Middleburg. The couple exchanged personalized vows in the garden with plenty of greenery and pops of white flowers adding elegance to the intimate affair. For the reception, they moved their 20-person party inside for dinner and a superbly simple cake made by Salamander’s Executive Pastry Chef Jason Reaves. For Andrea and Rodger, who planned the wedding remotely, sentimentality was all in the details. “We tried to include as many personal details as possible — our personalized vow books, cookies with our dog on them, all our nieces and nephews included in the wedding, and small details throughout the day with sentimental meaning for us,” she finishes. 

Vendors: 
Photography: Stacie Marshall, Marshall Arts Photography @marshallarts.photography
Catering: The Red Fox Inn & Tavern @redfoxinntavern
Cake: Salamander Resort & Spa, Chef Jason Reaves @solociachef21
Florals: Wild Green Yonder @wild_green_yonder
Hair and Makeup: Anna Breeding @annabreeding
Dress: Alexandria Grecco @alexandragrecco
Bridesmaid Dresses: Rent the Runway 
Groom’s Attire: Theory 
Favors: Decadent Dough 
Jeweler: Ascot Diamonds, New York 

Jamie & Chris 

June 5, 2021 at Sylvanside Farm in Purcellville, VA 

For Jamie and Chris, their June ceremony at Sylvanside Farm was all about sweet surprises and family traditions. Memorable moments from the weekend included a visit from Teddy Roosevelt, which Jamie arranged as a gift for Nationals mega fan Chris, and the use of the family cross at the ceremony. “It’s a cross that my dad made, which was super special to us,” Jamie shares. Another surprise was the presence of cicadas. “That was interesting,” she jokes. Even with cicadas, Jamie and Chris were the image of love posing with the Sylvanside clydesdale and their own dog, Katie, at the venue that felt right from the beginning. “We drove down the driveway to the farm and immediately looked at one another and said, ‘This is our venue,’” Jamie remembers. She finishes, “It was beautiful and peaceful.” Jamie believes the Sylvanside owners, Terri Hall and Jeff Fanning, made the day extra special too. She says, “We had a venue and vendors that went above and beyond to make our day perfect.” 

Vendors:
Wedding Planner: Amelia McQueen for Curate Events Co.
Photography: Maddy Williams Photography @maddywilliamsphotography
Catering: Classic Catering @classiccateringevents
Cake: Cowbell Kitchen @cowbellkitchen
Florals: Creations in Bloom @creationsinbloom
DJ: DJ Luccio @luccio_thedj
Hair and Bridesmaids’ Makeup: Laura Henderson Makeup @laurahenderson_makeup
Bride’s Makeup: The Highlight Makeup Artistry @thehighlight
Dress: Lotus Threads @lotusthreadsnyc

Jessye & Ben 

August 20, 2021 at Birkby House in Leesburg, VA 

Leesburg’s historic Birkby House provided a striking brick backdrop for Jessye and Ben’s August ceremony. A gorgeous iron arch decorated with white flowers framed the couple’s “I Do’s” while a rainbow of bridesmaids dresses and DIY flower arrangements added color. “For a summer wedding, it was cool to have the ability to do pretty, bright colors. It was really fun to have the [bridesmaids] choose and have all those different pops of color in there,” Jessye shares. The centerpieces comprised of little bits and bobs were family-made too. Jessye says her mom sourced the trinkets. “I found the eclectic style really spoke to me.” She adds, “My mom did all the design and décor of the centerpieces. She is an antiques pro and went to the antique outlet in Lovettsville every weekend to grab a bunch of knickknacks.” But perhaps the best look of Jessye and Ben’s wedding was the infectious smiles on their faces throughout the day, the laughter between them captured in almost every photo, and the obvious love they share for one another.

Vendors: 
Wedding Planner: Tara Miller 
Photography: Sarandipity Photography @sarandipityphotography
Catering: Tuscarora Mill
DJ: A2Z Music Factory @a2zmusicfactory
Dress: Grace Loves Lace @grace_loves_lace
Suits: The Black Tux 

Bryant and Ella 

September 17, 2021, at Bluemont Vineyard in Bluemont, VA 

Bryant and Ella exchanged vows surrounded by friends, family, and sweeping views of Loudoun Valley during an outdoor ceremony at Bluemont Vineyard. For the reception, the couple moved inside the rustic barn and shared their first dance under twinkling lights. Personal touches included “His, Hers, and Our” favorite snack packs for guests to enjoy at the table, and a Polaroid guest board in place of the traditional guestbook. Ella slipped out of her elegant ball gown with a sweetheart neckline into a sleek off-the-shoulder reception dress and changed a third time into a gorgeous, pale pink traditional wedding outfit. Bryant did too. Of their wedding day, the couple shares, “If we did our wedding again, we wouldn’t have it any other way. We were blessed with so much love on our special day and it will be with us forever.” 

Vendors: 
Photography: Bakerture Photo & Video @bakerture
Florals: Christine Chung
Confections: Shilla Bakery 
DJ: Reputable DJ

Michelle & Michael 

October 17, 2021 at The Middleburg Barn in Middleburg, VA 

Complete with leather jackets, disco balls, and pictures with their puppy Ziggy, Michelle and Michael’s traditional Jewish ceremony at the Middleburg Barn reflected their fun-loving personalities and love of music. “We wanted a romantic, earthy wedding with bohemian, disco vibes,” Michelle explains. She adds, “Music is a huge part of our relationship…There are little details in the wedding that music is a big part of. We had an old gramophone with flowers coming out of it, and our guests signed vinyl records…We wanted to make sure it was fun, and like us, and we wanted to add some funk into it.” For Michelle and Michael, being surrounded by family added to the joy of their wedding day. When asked for the most memorable moment, Michelle shares, “I think the most memorable part was to be walked down the aisle by my mom and stepdad and to be handed off to my dad and stepmom. Then seeing Michael with his parents in the background. Having all six parents there was a beautiful way of realizing that’s how we got to where we are, and it was really special.” 

Vendors:
Wedding Planner: Stephanie Sadowski for SRS Events @srs_events
Photography: Karen Rainier Photography @karenrainierphoto
Videography: Rising Virgo Studio
Caterer: RSVP Catering @rsvpcateringdc
Flowers: Wander & Whimsy Floral @wanderandwhimsyfloral
Music: Millennium from Washington Talent Agency @millenniumwta
Hair and Makeup: MAB Artistry @mab.artistry
Dress: Made with Love @madewithlovebridal
Paper Goods: Minted 
Rentals: Pretty Little Wedding Co., Select Event Group, A2Z Music Factory
Ziggy’s Team: Furever & Fur Always @fureveralways

Nicole & Scott 

December 31, 2021 at Historic Rosemont Springs in Berryville, VA 

Nicole and Scott’s New Year’s Eve wedding can only be described as pure magic. With the help of their vendors, the couple turned the Historic Rosemont Springs barn in Berryville into The Great Hall straight out of Harry Potter. Floating candles, a golden doe and stag cake topper, and plenty of flowers in Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff colors not only added wizarding whimsy, but also an element of coziness to the grand space worthy of Hogwarts. When asked about the inspiration for such a magical wedding, Nicole shares, “When we toured Rosemont Springs and saw the space, it immediately came to me. The inspiration was Hogwarts at Christmastime.” More than aesthetics, Potter was part of the ceremony as well. Nicole says, “I think one of my favorite parts is that Scott was really on board with including it in our vows and in our ceremony…we worked a ton of Harry Potter quotes in.” She finishes, “At the end of the day, it’s about love and it’s about life lessons and it is just a beautiful series of stories.” ML

Vendors:
Wedding Planner: Lissa Marie Weddings and Events @lissamarieweddingsandevents
Photography: Molly Majher Photography @mollymajherphotography
Videography: A Fine Art Wedding Film @afineartweddingfilm
Catering: Celebrations Hospitality, Inc.
Dessert: The Cake Boutique @thecakeboutique.va
Floral Design: The Rosy Posy @therosyposy
DJ + Live Streaming: Bialek’s Music @bialeksmusic
Hair and Makeup: Patti Nelson
Dress: Signature by Jason Alexander
Grooms Attire: Ike Behar + Charles Tyrwhitt
Officiant: Taylored Vows @tayloredvows
Photo Booth Camper: Famous Vintage Camper Co. @famousvintagecamperco

This article first appeared in the February 2022 Issue.